WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today announced that he is backing two legislative pushes to confront and condemn the sharp increase of hate crimes aimed at Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs). Senator King is cosponsoring the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, which would designate a point person at the Department of Justice (DOJ) and expedite the review of COVID-19-related hate crimes and provide support to state and local law enforcement responding to these hate crimes. In addition, Senator King is cosponsoring a Senate resolution that condemns all forms of anti-Asian sentiment, racism and discrimination.

“In communities across the country, including Portland, we’ve seen anti-Asian hate crimes over the course of the pandemic – forcing too many of our friends and neighbors to live in fear,” said Senator King. “This type of harassment and violence is absolutely unacceptable. It is essential that we condemn this bigotry in the strongest terms, and advance legislation to provide the resources necessary to fight these hateful acts.”

The COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act directs DOJ to: 

• Designate a DOJ employee to assist with expedited review of COVID-19 hate crimes reported to federal, state, and/or local law enforcement;
• Provide guidance for state and local law enforcement agencies to:
•         establish online reporting of hate crimes or incidents, and to have online reporting available in multiple languages;
•         expand culturally competent and linguistically appropriate public education campaigns, and collection of data and public reporting of hate crimes; and
• Issue guidance detailing best practices to mitigate racially discriminatory language in describing the COVID–19 pandemic, in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the COVID–19 Health Equity Task Force and community-based organizations.

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